Nikola Topic is heading into the kind of season that can shape everything about his future with the Thunder.
Oklahoma City’s offseason brought in more promising young talent through the draft, but it also came with difficult decisions tied to the team’s finances. The Thunder are trying to stay in a strong financial position and avoid the second apron, and that reality is already starting to affect how the roster will be built moving forward.
That puts pressure on several players, especially those whose contracts are coming up. Topic stands out as one of the biggest names in that group, because this season could determine whether he stays in Oklahoma City long term.
His path to this point has been anything but smooth. Topic was already dealing with an ACL injury before what was supposed to be his rookie season, which kept him out for the entire year. Then, before last season began, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, pushing back his debut once again.
He eventually fought through that and made his Thunder debut in February. Now he finally has a chance to enter a season with a real runway, and the opportunity to show Oklahoma City what he can become.
The key issue is his contract. Topic has a team option at the end of the season, so the Thunder will decide whether to keep him or let him reach free agency. Keeping him around wouldn’t be a shocking move, but the money attached to that decision matters.
Topic is set to make around $5.5 million this season, which is only a slight increase from what he has made over the past two years. If the Thunder pick up his 2027-28 team option, though, his salary would rise to nearly $7.5 million.
That’s a number Oklahoma City will have to weigh carefully, especially with Cason Wallace and Ajay Mitchell due for new deals in the near future.
For Topic, the path is clear: he’s expected to get plenty of chances on a reshaped roster, and this is his chance to prove he belongs in the Thunder’s long-term plans. If he delivers, the payday follows. If he doesn’t, his run in Oklahoma City could be over.
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